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Confirmed: Ronnie Magsanoc joins the Ateneo Blue Eagles as assistant coach

PBA Hall of Fame inductee Ronnie Magsanoc.

Graduates of the University of the Philippines are slowly filling up the bench of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. After Ricky Dandan came aboard as an assistant coach to Bo Perasol, Philippine basketball legend Ronnie Magsanoc has followed suit.

“(I) will be helping out coach Bo as an assistant coach for the coming UAAP season,” Magsanoc confirmed in a text message to Yahoo! Philippines.

Magsanoc coached the San Beda Red Lions to an NCAA title in 2012. With the void left by Frankie Lim’s sudden departure, Magsanoc stepped up and brought along with him his UP buddy Benjie Paras to help the Red Lions compile a record of 15 wins against only three losses in the elimination round to top the ten-team field.

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The Red Lions dispatched of the UPHDS Altas in the Final Four and defeated the Letran Knights in three games for San Beda’s third straight NCAA title. Magsanoc later stepped down citing personal reasons and was replaced by Boyet Fernandez.

The Blue Eagles are reloading after a horrible ending to their 2013 campaign. After winning five straight UAAP titles, the Blue Eagles were booted out of the competitions by the UST Tigers for the last slot in the Final Four. The untimely and abrupt end to their reign has served as an inspiration for the Eagles to load up both on recruits and on coaches.

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"I am still trying to observe how I can fit in," said Magsanoc. "I have to immerse myself in coach Bo's program. I've only been here for two days and I have to study and learn the philosophies of coach Bo."

The Eagles are going after Arvin Tolentino of the San Beda Red Cubs and Hubert Cani of the National University Bullpups.

Magsanoc will still keep his slot as an assistant coach to Ryan Gregorio with the Meralco Bolts.